Parish Mission: "To Serve is to Reign"

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Alice, Texas, will present a parish mission entitled “To Serve is to Reign.” The mission will be presented over five consecutive days from March 9-13, 2014, beginning each evening at 7:00 p.m., followed by a 15-minute Benediction prayer service.

A “parish mission” is a special event for Catholics in which everyone is invited to take part in several days of activity and prayer, all focusing on faith enrichment. Fr. Joseph Aytona, CPM, from The Fathers of Mercy, will provide dynamic presentations directed toward key aspects of faith applied to life issues. Those who attend a parish mission often experience a spiritual renewal, bringing about a deeper love for God, and a revitalization of their personal relationships. For over 200 years, The Fathers of Mercy have evangelized and strengthened the faith of parish communities through their exciting form of preaching, that is both powerful and thought provoking.

The Fathers of Mercy will enrich the faith-life of all who attend, including those who believe they are already very devout, as well as those who may just be very doubtful. For non-Catholics, the parish mission is an exciting way to hear a clear presentation of the Catholic faith and get real answers to their questions. Parents, bring your teens, and enforce the importance of attending this parish mission. Set an example by your own attendance and invite your relatives and friends to join you.

Fr. Joseph Aytona, CPM., invites you to come to meet Christ in His Sacraments. Fr. Joseph will be available for confessions Sunday – Wednesday, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. and after the parish mission and Benediction until completed. Reconciliation will fulfill your desire for more intimacy with God.

The Fathers of Mercy associate their work at parish missions with a scripture passage taken from the Gospel of St. John, in which Jesus spoke to those who desired to be His followers.

Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, ‘What do you seek?’ And they said to Him, ‘Rabbi’ (which means “teacher”), ‘where are You staying?’ He said to them, “Come and see” (John 1:38-39).

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish and The Fathers of Mercy, welcome all to attend this dynamic parish mission. Please mark the dates on your calendar and learn how “To Serve is to Reign.”

Father Joseph Aytona, CPM
(A Short Biography)

Fr. Joseph was born in 1981 in Los Angeles, California and grew up in the suburbs of Southern California. In 2003, Fr. Joseph joined the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy and was ordained to the Priesthood in May 2010. He is a 2010 graduate of Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a Master of Divinity Degree, and a Master of Arts in Theology.

During the Parish Mission, Fr. Joseph will encourage and challenge the parish to make a stronger, deeper, and personal commitment to Christ and His Church. The topics he will speak on include: The Holy Eucharist, God’s Infinite Mercy, Freedom and Truth, The Universal Call to Holiness, and The Blessed Virgin Mary.